【2026 Golden Week】Play, relax, and rest at Lake Nojiri in Nagano! What a hotel with a "van life" concept is like

Where should I go for this year's Golden Week? If you want to feel a sense of relaxation as an adult, "HOTEL&SAUNA WAYPOINT SHINANO-MYOKO," which just opened this spring, seems like a good choice. A hotel over 40 years old, close to Lake Nojiri and Myoko Kogen, has been rejuvenated into a base for a stay where playing, relaxing, and resting are all connected.

An overwhelming heat-press sauna and a free accommodation space inspired by van life

"HOTEL&SAUNA WAYPOINT SHINANO-MYOKO," which just had its grand opening on April 1st. A hotel over 40 years old, located near Lake Nojiri and Myoko Kogen, has been fully renovated to create a base for stays that combines authentic playfulness in sauna experiences with accommodations inspired by van life.

First, a significant attraction is WAYPOINT's sauna. Designed with the concept of "a heated experience during your journey," it offers an experience that integrates with nature throughout the four seasons: spring's fresh greenery, summer's lake breeze, autumn's foliage, and winter's snowy landscapes. The large container sauna, accommodating up to 12 people, uses a high-output electric stove, achieving a stable heating environment with minimal temperature variations even in a spacious area. You can experience a powerful heat that warms you from the core.

Additionally, there are unique features such as the "Cool Head Splash," where you pour cold water over your head, the aroma therapy through tea-infused Loulu and Worulu, and drinks that can be enjoyed inside the sauna, all of which provide different experiences from conventional saunas. The water bath also has its unique offerings, including bathtubs converted from vintage vans and bathtubs using groundwater with a soft water quality, providing three different options. You can also enjoy variations in sensations depending on the cooling method. The facility caters not only to overnight guests but also to day-use visitors, making it easy to stop by between activities.

Above all, what captivated me was the accommodation inspired by the concept of "van life," which involves traveling by car. A step-in style allows direct access from the parking lot to the guest rooms, making movement and handling luggage smooth. All guest rooms are over 30m2 in size and equipped with mini kitchens, accommodating self-catering and long-term stays.

With a raised space and a projector, it creates an environment where you can relax like in your own room while on a trip. It is also easy to use as a base for outdoor activities, allowing for a stress-free stay after skiing, mountain climbing, or activities at the lake.

The area around Lake Nojiri, where the hotel is located, is a region where nature, with the lake and mountains, coexists. From outdoor activities like SUP, fishing, and trekking to winter skiing, a variety of activities can be enjoyed throughout the year. It seems like a fun facility where you can spend relaxing time while having fun.

Facility Name: HOTEL&SAUNA WAYPOINT SHINANO-MYOKO
Location: 1047-2 Nojiri, Shinano-machi, Kamiminochi-gun, Nagano Prefecture
Rooms: Total of 10 rooms (King Room: 31.30㎡, Twin Room: 35.30㎡, Triple Room: 35.30㎡)

●PLAY＆co

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